Deputy minister moots mandatory jail sentence for reckless drivers

Published: March 20, 2017 09:22 AM GMT+8

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Last Tuesday, a 19-year-old woman driver caused a multi-vehicle pile-up when she drove against the traffic flow at the North-South Expressway in Penang. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The Road Transport Act 1987 will be amended to incorporate heavier penalties such as a mandatory jail sentence for reckless drivers, Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said yesterday.

The deputy transport minister reportedly said such measures were needed to curb the purported rise in the number of reckless driving incidents, citing the recent Penang accident where a driver drove against the traffic flow and caused the death of another driver.

“The Ministry will amend the Transport Act to include a heavier penalty like a mandatory jail sentence to stop the increasing number of deaths on roads due to careless driving,” he was quoted as saying in Berita Harian, referring to his ministry.

Aziz Kaprawi said the current punishment was not enough to justify a careless or reckless driver’s mistake.

“The government is very worried about the number of road accidents caused by reckless driving and one of our drastic steps is to introduce stricter laws,” he was quoted as saying.

Under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, someone convicted of reckless driving leading to death can face a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum RM20,000 fine.

Last Tuesday, a 19-year-old woman driver caused a multi-vehicle pile-up when she drove against the traffic flow at the North-South Expressway in Penang.

Ng Pei Ven, believed to be high on drugs and alcohol, had allegedly caused the death of Mohamad Fandi Rosli, 26, when her car collided with the latter’s.

She has been charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act for administering drugs into the body. She has claimed trial over the offence.

If convicted, she faces a maximum of two years’ jail, a fine of up to RM5,000, or both.